Program Description, M.S.

The Master of Science degree program in Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) is a field-based program designed to serve adult learners who may be employed on a full-time basis. The comprehensive program is intended for individuals who serve in instructional, training, leadership, or professional roles in human services areas of business, industry, government, community agencies, health care, or education. Students will learn to teach adults by gaining classroom knowledge, experiencing work-based activities, and participating in projects intended to develop the competencies utilized by professionals in the areas of Adult Education and Evaluation and Career and Technical Center Teaching. 

The areas of emphasis in Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) allow a program to be tailored to meet the personal and professional needs of a broad spectrum of graduate students. The courses provide students with the opportunity to continue their graduate education in a flexible program through an online delivery system. The program offers two areas of emphasis;

1. Adult Education and Evaluation, and
2. Career and Technical Center Teaching

Students entering the program will build upon the academic background gained through their undergraduate education and professional employment. The program’s coursework will provide the additional academic requirements, training, and leadership development necessary to complete a Master of Science degree. The student’s plan of study will be created in consultation with his or her advisor, selecting an area of emphasis and planning the program.

Adult Education and Evaluation Area of Emphasis

The Adult Education and Evaluation area of emphasis serves professionals who are looking to expand their knowledge in the field, further their careers, and transition into teaching adults. 

Adult Education and Evaluation serves individuals who work with adults in either instructional or administrative roles. Students are drawn from various areas such as human resource services that include manager and training specialists; adult literacy and remedial education teachers; and instructors and professor who teach in clasrooms at vocational schools, the college or university levels, or small groups of adults in a business setting. Other career areas may include students who work in government agencies

Career and Technical Center Area of Emphasis

The West Virginia Career and Technical Center Teaching certification program is restricted to currently employed teachers in a CTE Concentration/Endorsement program area in one of the comprehensive high schools, career tech centers, or multi-county centers.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website: www.marshall.edu/graduate/how-to-apply-for-admission.

M.S., Area of Emphasis in Adult Education and Evaluation

In addition to Marshall University’s requirements for admission, the following criteria must be met for admission to the Adult Education and Evaluation program:

• Students must apply online by completing and submitting the "Distance-Only" application, and all required credentials and fees must be on file in the Office of Graduate Admissions before an application can be processed. Visit www.marshall.edu/admissions/apply for additional information. 
• Candidates must be in good academic standing, have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, and have a minimum undergraduate cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.

M.S., Area of Emphasis in Career and Technical Center Teaching

In addition to Marshall University’s requirements for admission, the following criteria must be met for admission to the Career and Technical Center Teaching area of emphasis

• Students must apply online by completing and submitting the "Distance-Only" application, and all required credentials and fees must be on file in the Office of Graduate Admissions before an application can be processed. Visit www.marshall.edu/admissions/apply for additional information. 
• Candidates must be in good academic standing, have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and have a minimum undergraduate cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Candidates applying to the Career and Technical Center Teaching area of emphasis must be employed as a career and technical center teacher in the State of West Virginia 

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Graduation Requirements

Areas of Emphasis in Adult Education and Evaluation

A total of 30 credit hours is required for program completion for the Adult Education and Evaluation area of emphasis to satisfy the Master of Science degree requirements.

A Plan of Study will be sent to the student at the time of admission. Changes in required courses and the choice of any elective courses must be approved, and signed by the advisor on the office copy of the Plan of Study. The Plan of Study is a student’s “blueprint” for completing graduation requirements.

The required GPA to complete the master’s degree is 3.0 (B). Students must prepare an academic portfolio in the capstone course during their last semester of enrollment, and may take no more than one other 3-hour course in the semester that the capstone course is taken.

Area of Emphasis in Career and Technical Center Teaching

A total of 33 credit hours is required for program completion for the Career and Technical Center Teaching area of emphasis to satisfy the Master of Science degree requirements.

A Plan of Study will be sent to the student at the time of admission. Changes in required courses and the choice of any elective courses must be approved, and signed by the advisor on the office copy of the Plan of Study. The Plan of Study is a student’s “blueprint” for completing graduation requirements.

The required GPA to complete the master’s degree is 3.0 (B). Students must prepare an academic portfolio in the capstone course during their last semester of enrollment, and may take no more than one other 3-hour course in the semester that the capstone course is taken.